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MAIMONIDES

“One only loves the Holy One blessed be He through the knowledge of Him. This love is commensurate to the knowledge. If the knowledge is little, the love will be little; and if the knowledge is great, the love will be great. Thus, it is imperative for a person to dedicate himself to understand and contemplate the wisdom and knowledge that inform him of his Creator.” (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Teshuvah 10:6)

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The Gate of Unity – Chapter 29

Now, [it must be understood], even in the Hitbonenut – contemplation of the Lights and Vessels (Orot V’Kelim) of [the world of] Atzilut, in a more particular manner, that the primary intent is only [to understand] the matter of “He and His life force are one, [and He] and His organs are one”, that, in truth, there is no difference between “He and His life force are one” and “He and His organs are one”.[1]

This is because even though the Lights are “Bli Mah – without whatness”, [that is, they are intangible], while the Vessels are in an aspect of “Yesh – somethingness” [and are therefore tangible], nevertheless, from the angle of the Essence of the Emanator, He actually made the root for the existence of the Vessels before making the root for the existence of the Lights.[2]

דמה שמהתעבות האור נעשה כלי, הרי קדם לזה עצמו שרש ומקור

The fact that the Vessel comes about from the “thickening” of the Light [poses no contradiction to this], since the root and source [of the vessels] preceded this.[3]

והוא שנק’ חומר הפשוט או חומר ההיולי שקודם לצורה כו’

This [source] is called the “Simple [Primal] Matter – Chomer Pashoot” or “The Heyulie Matter” which precedes the “Form – Tzoorah” [of the Lights].[4]

Now, although the actual revealed limitation is, literally, exactly like the spiritual potential power to limit of the hand, which is the root and source for the actual limitation, nevertheless, there is no comparison between the potential power to limit and the actual limitation [itself].[6]

הא’ שזה רוחני ועצמי וזה גשמי ונבדל מן העצם

Firstly, one is spiritual and essential while the other is physical and separate from the essence.

Rather, [the person] limits his strength according to his will and choice, and it is [therefore] not a limitation of necessity, that is to say, [it is not] that he does not have the power to spread forth further.

Therefore, although the aspect of the Vessels of [the world of] Atzilut actually limit[16] through the aspect of the [four] names A”v, Sa”G, [Ma”H and Ba”N] which are called “Letters”, however, this is only due to the potential power to make limitations within the Essence of the Emanator [Himself].[17]

This, then, is the meaning of “He and His organs are one”, i.e. that [the Vessels] come about from the power of the Ein Sof – The Infinite One Himself, in the same way that, “He and His life force are one”, in regard to the aspect of the Lights.

(ובאמת גם בחי’ הכלים דע”ס דאצי’ הן כח הגבול, ולא גבול בפועל

(However, in truth, even the aspect of the vessels of the ten sefirot of [the world of] Atzilut are potential limitation (Koach HaGvool) rather than actual limitation (Gvool B’Po’el).

It is only when the light and influence is limited to [create] “something” from “nothing” in [the worlds of] Briyah, Yetzirah and Asiyah, that they can be considered to be actual limitation (Gvool B’Po’el Mamash), as will be explained with the help of G-d.[18])

According to the above, when one focuses his intention on the names of A”v, Sa”G [etc,] which are in an aspect of vessels which actually limit, this itself [constitutes] focusing his intention upon the source of the names of A”v, Sa”G etc, which are the source of the Light of [the world of] Atzilut.

(והוא שם העצם, שהוא מורה על עצם המקור כנ”ל)

(This is the Essential Name – Shem Ha’Etzem, which indicates the essence of the source, as previously explained.)

והיינו ממקור התהוות הכלים, דאיהו וגרמוהי חד כנ”ל

In other words, [his intention] is [focused] on the source of the existence of the Vessels, [about which it states] “He and His organs are one”, as explained above.[19]

וממילא מובן דגם בבחי’ תיקונין הנ”ל ע”ז אמר ג”כ איהו וגרמוהי חד

From this it is self understood that the statement, “He and His organs are one”, also applies to the above mentioned “Fixings”-Tikkunim[20]

משום דגבול בפועל מתאחד עם הגבול בכח המגביל לגבול זה שבפועל

This is because the actual limitation (Gvool B’Po’el) is unified with the potential power to limit (Koach HaGvool), which brings about this actual limitation.

על דרך דוגמא מכח המגביל שביד, שמיוחד ומקושר בגבול בפועל שבתנועה כנ”ל

[This may be understood] by way of analogy, from the potential power to limit of the hand which is unified and bound to the actual limitation of the movement, as mentioned above.

(ומכ”ש בכלים דמוחא ולבא כו’, שאינם נק’ גבול בפועל עדיין כנ”ל

(This is most certainly true of the Vessels of the Brain, Heart [and Liver], which cannot yet be considered to be actual limitation (Gvool B’Po’el), as explained above.

רק שמגבילים ומתארים לאורות שיהיה ניכר במציאת יש בלבד

Rather, they limit and describe the Lights only so that they may be recognizable as a tangible existence.

אבל יש להן שרש בעצמות כמו שיש לאורות שורש בעצמות

Nonetheless, the [Vessels] are rooted in the Essence just as the Lights are rooted in the Essence.

בשקול וכח ומקור א’ ממש, שהוא בחי’ א”ס ממש

These [two powers] are equally balanced, and literally have a single source, that [source being] the aspect of Ein Sof – The Infinite One, literally.

דכמו שאא”ס למטה עד כו’, כך למעלה כו’

This is because just as the Infinite Light spreads down [without limit], so too it [exists above] without end.[21]

שהן חו”ג שבעצמות

These [two powers, i.e. the infinite ability to reveal and the infinite ability to restrain revelation] are Chessed and Gevurah of Atzmoot – Kindness and Sternness of the Essence.

ואמנם באורות וכלים בשרשן נהפוך הוא מבבחי’ גילויין

However, regarding the Lights and Vessels [as they are] in their source, it is the reverse of [how they are] in their revealed aspect.

דבגלויין הרי בחי’ צמצום באורות וחסדים בהתפשטות בכלים

This is because as they are revealed, the aspect of restraint – Tzimtzum is in the Lights, and the kindnesses of spreading forth, is in the Vessels.

דגם שהן מגבילים, הרי על ידם כל התפשטות למטה דוקא

This is because even though the [Vessels] limit [the Lights, nonetheless,] all spreading down [of influence] comes about specifically through them.

The restraint-Tzimtzum is in the Reshimu-Impression, which makes potential limitation, while the spreading forth of kindnesses-Chassadim is in the lights, which comes about from the aspect of the Kav-Line. This is explained elsewhere, and will suffice for those of understanding.[22]

End of Chapter Twenty Nine

[1] This is to say that in their Essential source, there is no difference between the two matters at all. This is because, as will soon be explained, the source of the Lights (Orot) is from Chessed of the Infinite Light, while the source of the Vessels (Kelim) is from Gevurah of the Infinite Light. However, as explained in chapters 10 and 11, the two qualities of Chessed and Gevurah of Atzmoot-The Essence, are literally one and the same Essential power. That is, they are so totally and completely one with the Essence of G-d that they cannot even be considered as being “unified” with each other, as explained before at length.

[2] As will soon be explained, the simple primal matter (Chomer Pashoot) which is the source of the Vessels (Kelim) is the aspect of the Reshimu – Impression. This source of the tangibility of the Vessels precedes the source of the Lights which are from the aspect of the radiance of the Kav – Line.

[3] As explained previously, the Vessel is created from the “thickening” of the Lights. This is to say that the Vessel is created through the merging of intangible Light (Ohr) with the tangible Substance (Chomer). When these two merge together a Vessel is created. However, the obvious question is, “Where did the substance of the vessels come from to begin with, so that it can merge with the lights?” The answer is that the “Simple primal substance – Chomer Pashoot” (of the Reshimu) which is the source of the vessels, actually preceded the radiance of the light of the Kav – Line.

[4] Although the Lights are intangible and are therefore “close” to the Essence of the Emanator, while the Vessels which are tangibile, are therefore “distant” from it, nonetheless, this is only from our perspective as created beings. From His perspective however, the source of the Vessels was made before the source of the Lights. The source of the vessels is the Simple Heyulie Substance (Chomer HaPashoot HaHeyulie) which preceded the Form (Tzurah). We therefore see that from the angle of the revelation of the chaining down of the worlds (Seder Hishstalshelut), the Lights precede the Vessels and are closer to the Essence of the Emanator, but in regard to their source, the Vessels preceded the Lights. This indicates that in relation to the True Essence of G-d, the two are actually completely equal, literally, and that they both chain down from the True Essence of G-d equally. This is the meaning of the Talmudic opinion that, “The heavens and the earth were created as one”, i.e. they are literally equal in relation to the Essence of G-d. (See Likkutei Biurim of Rabbi Hillel of Paritch, Chapter 29.)

[5] That is, this is still the essential potential power to limit of the hand, and is not yet an actual limitation of any specific movement of the hand.

[6] For example, although the actual limitation of an actual specific movement is exactly like what was determined in the potential power to limit, nonetheless, the two are not comparable.

[8] In other words, just as the Lights are emanated from the essential desire and Heyulie power of the Essence of G-d to emanate, so likewise, the various limitations of the Vessels are also drawn from the essential potential Heyulie power to limit. Moreover, as explained in chapters ten and eleven, not only are these two powers equal, but they literally are one and the same power, except that from the perspective of the source of the Lights, G-d is called “the True Nothing – Ein Ha’Ameetee”, while from the perspective of the Vessels He is called “the True Something – Yesh Ha’Ameetee”.

[9] This refers to Chochmah of Keter, which is generally called the “hidden reasoning for the desire”, as previously explained.

[10] This rule applies not only to the Desire – Keter, and “the Reasoning for the Desire – Chochmah of Keter” but also to the entire chaining down of the worlds. As mentioned before, the Essential inner light of the sefirot is a completely intangible “nothingness”. In order for this light to be drawn down to a lesser level, self-limitation is necessary. An example of this is when a person has a desire for something. In order for his desire to be conveyed to a recipient, such as the craftsman who will construct the object of his desire, he must limit his desire and define it. For example, he must state, “I want a table”. If he does not say, “I want a table” and instead only says “make it for me”, the craftsman cannot make anything. Rather, in order for the light of this desire to be expressed, it must be limited within the “vessels” and “letters” of description, and he must state, “I would like you to make a table for me”. Without this self-imposed limitation, of limiting himself to this specific definition and these specific words, there could be no transition from one level to the next, and no expression of his inner desire to the outside. Rather, only the simple self-expression of his essence itself could exist. This concept will be discussed later in regard to the subject of the “letters”.

[12] This is to say that the source of the actual limitations is only the potential Heyulie power and ability to Limit. However, this power itself is actually an infinite power, and is not limited whatsoever. Therefore, although the actual limitation is bound to the Heyulie power to limit, nonetheless, the two are of an entirely different category, as explained above.

[13] We explained before that the Kav – Line is the intermediary infinite conduct of “HaGadol, HaGibor, V’HaNora” (Chessed is the infinite revelation (Ohr Ein Sof), Gevurah is the absolute concealment (Tzimtzum and Reshimu) and Tiferet is the Kav-Line, which unites these two absolutes to bring about infinite levels of limited revelation between the two extremes. We see that all three powers are infinite. Here, however, it appears that the Rebbe is calling the Kav – Line, Gevurah of the Infinite Light (Ohr Ein Sof). Rather, it must be understood that the Kav-Line bears two properties, the power to reveal and the power to limit. Here the Rebbe is specifically referring to the power of the Kav-Line to limit and measure, which is why it is called Kav HaMidah – The Measuring Line. This ability of the Kav-Line to measure and limit, is drawn from the Tzimtzum and Reshimu, which is the power of Gevurah and self-restraint of Atzmoot Ohr Ein Sof-The Essence of Infinite Light. In contrast, the power to spread forth and reveal of the the Kav-Line, is drawn from the aspect of the revelation of the Infinite Light (Chessed of the Ohr Ein Sof). Now, these two lines are literally one power, and are in absolute equalibrium, as was explained at length in chapter 15.

[16] This is to say that in comparison to the potential Heyulie ability to limit as it is in the Kav and Reshimu, the vessels of the world of Atzilut are considered to be actual limited vessels. In other words, they actually limit the Lights (Orot) of the world of Atzilut by means of the four names (i.e. limiting descriptions) A”v, Sa”G, Ma”H and Ba”N etc.(However, the vessels of Atzilut are only considered to be matters of actual limitation in comparison to the essential Heyulie power to limit. However, as explained before, even the vessels of Atzilut are intangible and are not yet considered actual limitation.)

[17] In other words, the vessels have a source in the Essence of the Emanator independent of the Lights. They receive their limitations according to the Essential Heyulie ability and desire to Limit, as it is in the Essence of the Infinite One (Atzmoot Ohr Ein Sof). This is because, as explained above, a Being who is truly infinite also possesses the ability to limit. Nevertheless, His ability to limit is also infinite and in no way limits Him. Rather, G-d’s power to limit is the direct source of all limitations throughout the entire chaining down of the worlds. (In other words, there are two separate types of chaining down. There is the chaining down of the lights and the chaining down of the vessels. Now, the substance of the vessels is literally the same Heyulie Substance mentioned above and derives its existence directly from there. In contrast, the form (Tzurah) and vitality of the vessels is from the aspect of the chaining down of the lights. However, both these aspects are literally rooted in the very Essence of the Infinite Light, and as they relate to Him, they are literally one and the same power, as explained above. This explains why the Zohars states, “He and His organs are one” and “He and His life force are one”, as two separate statements, rather than expressing them as one statement, such as, “He and His organs and life force are one”. This is to teach us that, contrary to what we would have thought from the statement that the vessels come about from the “thickening” of the light, we must understand that this only refers to the form of the vessels. However, the substance of the vessels exists independently of the light and receives its existence directly from the Essence of the Emanator just as the light receives its existence directly from the Emanator.

[18] That is, even the external “letters” and Vessels of the world of Atzilut are still completely intangible, just as the flash of insight from Chochmah to Binah (Omek HaMoosag) is still completely intangible. Rather, they are only the source for the actual “somethingness” and tangibility of the worlds of Briyah, Yetzirah and Asiyah. This was already explained in the preceding chapters, and will be explained further later.

[19] In other words, when a person grasps the external vessels of the world of Atzilut, he is grasping the “actual limitation” of the Lights. However, this “actual limitation” is literally exactly according to what was determined in the essential source of the vessels, within the essential Heyulie ability to limit. This is because although there is no comparison whatsoever between the actual limitation and the potential power of limitation, nonetheless, the actual limitation is literally bound up and connected to its source, which is this ability to limit. Moreover, the actual limitation is literally exactly according to the essential desire to limit in this specific manner. In this respect there is no difference between it and the essential desire even to a hair’s breadth, so to speak. Therefore, the external names of the world of Atzilut are, nevertheless, still considered to be part and parcel of the Essential Name (Shem HaEtzem).

[21] That is, just as the Infinite Light can be infinitely revealed (Chessed), likewise, it can be infinitely contained and withdrawn (Gevurah).

[22] In other words, from our perspective as the recipients, the Infinite Light (Chessed) is restrained and concealed (Tzimtzum and Gevurah), and that which is revealed to us only comes through the limiting vessels (Gevurah). This is to say that to us, the right (Chessed) is concealed and the left (Gevurah), is revealed, and as was explained before, revelation is an expression of Chessed. In contrast, in their source it is the opposite. The right (Chessed) is the revelation of the Infinite Light and the left (Gevurah) is the Tzimtzum and Reshimu. All of this may be understood through the analogy of two people. When one person stands facing another, to the other person, the right hand is on his left and the left hand is on his right. However, from the angle of the person himself, right is right and left is left.